WILLIAM. My heartiest congratulations, sir.
BLAYDS. Thank you, William. When you are ninety, I’ll do as much for you.
WILLIAM (laughing heartily). Ha, ha! Very good, sir. May I present Mr. A. L. Royce, the well-known critic?
BLAYDS (looking thoughtfully at ROYCE). We have met before, Mr. Royce?
ROYCE. At Bournemouth, sir. Eighteen years ago.
BLAYDS (nodding). Yes. I remember.
WILLIAM. Wonderful, wonderful!
BLAYDS (holding out his hand). Thank you for wasting your time now on an old man. You must stay and talk to me afterwards.
ROYCE. It’s very kind of you, sir. I——
WILLIAM. Just a moment, Mr. Royce. (He indicates SEPTIMA and OLIVER.)